As expected, Naruto was the type most prone to unexpected situations among ninjas. With the power of the Nine-Tails enhancing him, his Gale Palm had already reached a new level before it even returned to a normal state.
Xia Li couldn't help but feel pleased with his decision. He could use this method as well—and it would likely be very effective. Thinking about how Naruto could further develop this Wind Armor in the future, Xia Li felt secretly delighted. He wouldn't even need to research it himself—he could benefit from it for free. That feeling was great.
At the same time, Xia Li looked at Naruto, who was wrapped in that somewhat eerie red armor, and was momentarily speechless.
He actually looked pretty cool…
And it wasn't just Xia Li who felt that way. The surrounding civilians were also stunned by the armor, and gasps of amazement echoed throughout the arena.
Even if Xia Li mastered Wind Release armor, he probably wouldn't be able to achieve this effect. After all, wind is colorless and formless—his version of the armor would likely be invisible. Only Naruto, with the chakra of the Nine-Tails, could create something like this.
Xia Li's expression turned a bit strange.
Sasuke hadn't even used Susanoo yet, but Naruto was already using a Nine-Tails-enhanced Wind Armor form.
All he could say was—
Life is unpredictable.
In this battle, once Naruto used the Nine-Tails' power to form the Wind Armor, there was no longer any alternative outcome.
Neji's Sixty-Four Palms could hardly break through it, and with the added power of the Nine-Tails, Naruto's strength had reached a terrifying level.
Even jonin would struggle to respond properly to such overwhelming force. The best option would be to dodge.
But—
Was this really something two genin could achieve?!
Even the experienced ninjas watching were completely stunned.
Xia Li watched as Naruto, clad in blazing red armor, charged forward and collided head-on with Neji's Rotation.
At that moment, the entire arena trembled. Dust filled the air—but none of it escaped Xia Li's notice.
As expected—
Naruto broke through Rotation with ease and defeated Neji.
When the result was announced, Xia Li fell silent as he looked at Naruto, who remained completely unharmed.
After using the Nine-Tails' power, the passive recovery effect had healed all of his previous injuries. Then, using the Nine-Tails-enhanced Wind Armor, he shattered Neji's Rotation.
In a way…
It was a bit brutal.
Xia Li sighed, yet also felt a sense of relief.
Because this was a change he had brought about.
At this level, even if Naruto only relied on the Nine-Tails' power, he could already be considered a special jonin, right?
As for the level of power Naruto displayed against Sasuke in the original story—that was another matter. But as Naruto continued to grow, Xia Li could gradually help him unlock more of the seal.
In any case, Xia Li felt it was better to take things step by step.
Even a protagonist couldn't rush everything.
Chapter 140: The Beginning of the Konoha Crush Plan
"Naruto, you're getting stronger and stronger…" Shikamaru muttered, then walked down from the waiting area. Seeing Temari approaching, he clicked his tongue.
"Why is it a girl again? What a drag…"
As he walked, he looked up at the clouds.
Honestly, why had he even signed up for the Chunin Exams?
It seemed Asuma had registered them.
If it were up to him, he wouldn't have bothered.
But quitting halfway would make him look bad—and that wasn't manly.
So how could he maintain his "manliness" without fighting a girl?
Besides, becoming a chunin didn't necessarily require winning. As long as you demonstrated sufficient ability and proper judgment, that would be enough.
So—
How should he handle this match?
After thinking for a bit, Shikamaru stepped into the arena, staring lazily at Temari.
Xia Li, watching from the sidelines, suddenly recalled—
Didn't these two end up together?
If that was the case, he might need to be careful in the future…
Then, Shikamaru demonstrated his tactical brilliance—but just when everyone thought he would win, he voluntarily forfeited.
The reason?
He was out of chakra. If he continued, he'd be beaten badly.
So he gave up.
Xia Li twitched at the corner of his eye.
Was this… really how their relationship started?
The next match began.
But since Dosu didn't show up, the referee, Genma Shiranui, waited for a long time. The audience grew restless.
Finally, Genma sighed and declared Dosu absent.
Kankuro won by default.
Then came the announcement for the next match:
Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara!
The entire arena erupted in cheers.
Everyone had been waiting for this.
The last Uchiha.
A rumored genius.
Many had come specifically to see Sasuke fight.
After witnessing intense battles and brilliant tactics earlier, they were finally about to see the most anticipated match.
Totally worth the ticket.
Sasuke soon entered the arena.
But he was still shaken by Naruto's earlier display of power.
After learning Chidori, he thought he had surpassed Naruto.
Now—
That didn't seem to be the case.
If he could land Chidori directly, he might still win…
But Chidori wasn't meant to be used casually—especially not on comrades.
As for Gaara—
He seemed to be suppressing something.
When he saw Naruto's red chakra, he realized—
Naruto was just like him.
A monster sealed within.
But then—
Why?
Why did Naruto smile?
Why did he have bonds with others?
Why was he treated differently?
It must be fake.
It had to be fake!
Gaara's body trembled, killing intent surging within him.
The match began.
And instantly turned intense.
But Sasuke wasn't affected by the killing intent.
After all—
He had already lived through something far worse.
From the sidelines, Xia Li watched closely.
Sasuke had trained under Kakashi for a month, greatly enhancing his Chidori.
Without Wind Armor, Sasuke's fundamentals were clearly stronger than Naruto's.
But Naruto had overwhelming chakra reserves—
He could sustain Wind Armor continuously.
That alone gave him a huge advantage.
In many aspects, Naruto had already caught up to—or even surpassed—Sasuke.
If Naruto avoided a direct clash with Chidori, his chances of winning were actually quite high.
But—
Given Naruto's personality…
That probably wouldn't happen.
As for Sasuke vs. Gaara—
It was still difficult for Sasuke to win.
Even though Gaara used powerful techniques, he hadn't fully reached his peak yet.
And that was with his unstable mental state.
If it were the later, fully stable Gaara…
Sasuke would be in real danger.
Just as Xia Li was thinking—
He sensed something.
Feathers began to fall from the sky.
He sighed.
"So it's starting…"
This level of genjutsu was useless against him.
Looking at the chaotic arena, the explosions, and the smoke rising from the Hokage's viewing platform—
He understood.
Orochimaru's plan to destroy Konoha had begun.
As the illusion broke, hidden Sound ninjas revealed themselves.
Some even wore ANBU masks.
Xia Li sighed.
Security had been tight—but it still wasn't enough.
After all, the Chunin Exams were open to the world.
Infiltration was inevitable.
He had already noticed many suspicious ninjas in the audience earlier—but there was nothing he could do.
There were simply too many.
Were all the Sound Village's forces here?
Xia Li decided—
Naruto and Sasuke should handle Gaara.
At this stage, their lives weren't in danger.
And Jiraiya was present.
So there was no need to worry.
He walked over to Ino.
She looked shaken.
"What's happening?" she asked.
"Simply put, Konoha's ally—the Sand Village—has betrayed us and launched a surprise attack," Xia Li explained.
"How could this happen…" Ino muttered in disbelief.
"Don't worry," Xia Li said, gently patting her head. "Your abilities aren't suited for this battlefield. I'll take you to my mother—help me take care of her."
Before she could react—
Everything went dark.
When she opened her eyes again, she heard a familiar voice.
"Xia Li? Ino?"
It was Kushina.
"Mom, take care of her," Xia Li said.
After a brief exchange, Ino agreed to stay.
"Be careful," Kushina said seriously.
"Don't worry. Your son is strong," Xia Li replied with a smile—
And vanished.
The battlefield was no longer just the arena.
With his mobility—
All of Konoha was his battlefield.
Originally, he wanted to stay near the arena.
But the Third Hokage had given him a direct order—
The first time he had ever done so.
Xia Li accepted.
After all—
Jiraiya was still there.
Nothing should go wrong… right?
He took out his sealed blade.
Gently running his hand along it, like greeting an old friend.
"Old man… let's fight together again."
A soft hum echoed from the sword.
With his expanded sensory range, most of Konoha was now within his perception.
But there was still a problem—
He could sense ninjas, but not distinguish friend from foe.
So—
He decided to head toward active battle zones.
At least there, enemies would be obvious.
How would he get there?
A smile appeared on his face.
He had already placed numerous Flying Thunder God markers throughout the village.
And he had enough soldier pills.
Now—
Was not the time to conserve chakra.
Next target.
This—
Was Xia Li's hunting ground.
Chapter 141: Konoha – Hunting Time
"Damn it!" A Konoha chunin glared at the two Sound ninjas in front of him.
Behind him stood over a dozen civilians, trembling in fear.
Their survival depended entirely on him.
But against two enemies—
And while protecting civilians—
He had no chance.
The enemies were deliberately restricting his movements.
He couldn't retreat.
He couldn't win.
Just as despair began to set in—
A voice echoed in his ears.
Cold—
Yet strangely reassuring.
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